Anthony's blog For Motivation and Emotion

" Well, this must be quite a change for you, right, Ed? Blog Post #4 Self Efficacy The second lesson covering expectancy-value theory focused on expectancy's first part of the equation. The central idea of this lesson was the concept of self-efficacy. This term means one's belief in the outcome of their goal. If one has little faith in their ability to accomplish a task, they are much less likely to even attempt it. Self-Efficacy can be formed in four central ways that will each be related to Edward Scissorhands. Personal Behavioral History The first of the four sub-sections that create self-efficacy is the also the least impactful to our main character. This is best described by saying that if you have been able to complete similar task in the past it will create belief that you will continue being successful at similar task in the future. Sadly, Edward grew up in an isolated environment and the movie does not even state how long it was between the time of his invention a...

“Edward, I think you should just come home with me.” – Peg Blog Post #3 This week the class moved on to expectancy-value theory. At its most simple expectancy-value theory states that an individual's motivation can be summed by whether they feel capable of fulfilling a task and if they give importance to the task. Yet, an explanation of instrumentality is also required to understand Edward Scissorhands and his relation to the theory. This term signifies that people feel motivated to do things that will get them closer to their goals. While there are two types of instrumentality, I will focus on the one in which people feel the action is directly related to the procurement of the goal, given it is the only one we see in the actions of the film's main character.  The last definition is performance goals, and these are goals that are related to outcomes outside of oneself as opposed to mastery goals that just focus on internal skill building. Now to connect the theoretical our sci...

 “People are scared of things that are different.” – Edward Scissorhands Blog Post #2 Cognitive Evaluation Theory  Today I will be covering how CET applies to Edward Scissorhands. However, before I apply the theory to the actions of the main character in the film, I have to explain what the theory states. CET is a sub-theory inside the broader Self-Determination Theory and focuses on external and internal motivation. Furthermore, it describes what requirements must be met for someone to become intrinsically motivated, which is more effective in pushing an individual to achieve a task. The three aspects that a person must feel to illicit internal motivation are Autonomy, meaning the belief they control their own actions, competence, meaning they feel they have the capability to achieve their task, lastly relatedness, meaning they feel that they have a group in their environment supporting them and their actions will strengthen their connection to them. Relatedness While related...

 "I am not complete" - Edward Scissorhands                        Directed by Tim Burton in 1990 My blogs will be centered around the Main Character of the 1990s cult classic Edward Scissorhands. The film was Johnny Depp's first true breakout performance and began his lengthy involvement with director Tim Burton. The movie's other leading role was played by Winona Ryder. The movie is a romantic fantasy and includes many of the elements that are indicative of a Burton film. The plot of this piece of media is heavily focused on contrast. Our main character is a Frankenstein-type figure made by a mad scientist in a medieval-style castle. However, the film does not take place in 14th century Romania; instead, the castle directly overlooks a cookie-cutter American suburb of the 1980s. Near the start of the film, our protagonist is found alone in the castle by a local makeup salesman who brings him down to the town and creates t...